Elite FC loses, but wins over community

Sunday

ADELANTO — During warmups, the red team got distracted. As the stands filled with fans, several Temecula FC players took out their cellphones to broadcast the moment on social media.

“I think they were surprised with what they saw,” said Fidel Gonzales, director of soccer operations and co owner of High Desert Elite FC.

What they saw was more than 1,200 fans out in force on a Saturday night to watch a brand new soccer team play its first home game at Adelanto Stadium.

Unfortunately, Elite FC lost, bringing its season record to 0-2. But judging by the crowd noise, the 0-3 scoreline took a backseat to the pride family and friends said they felt watching their kin play semi-pro soccer at their hometown stadium.

“I think this is a great thing for the High Desert,” said Christian Wilson, 24, from Hesperia. “This could build into something good.”

After the last whistle, Wilson and his friend Fred Romero waited in the stands as their high school friends playing on the team leaped over the railing below. As the players wearing yellow jerseys clogged the staircase, it was all smiles as fans took selfies with the players they came to watch.

Brothers, sisters, cousins, friends — everyone knew each other.

“It’s something for the kids to look up to,” said Romero, 27, also from Hesperia. “Something to get their minds going.”

High school players from the half-dozen top soccer programs in the High Desert scurried around the stadium watching as local men not much older than them played under the lights below.

Orlando Ruiz Jr., 25-year-old head coach of the Oak Hills High School boys JV soccer team and a left-back for Elite FC, walked up the stairs after the game. Ruiz Jr. took selfies with everyone who wanted one.

Turns out that was quite a few people, considering he invited more than 30 people to the game, including some of his players.

Ruiz Jr. said he’s played in several semi-pro leagues in the High Desert the past five years, but Saturday’s home opener playing in the National Premier Soccer League topped them all.

“This is the biggest showing we’ve had,” he said. “It was a good experience. We needed that.”

Ruiz Jr. said Elite FC started the game strong. “I felt like we had it,” he said. “We were the ones pressuring.”

After the first half Temecula was up one goal to nil. But after a key second half foul turned into another goal, Temecula rode the momentum and left the desert with a shutout and a 2-0 record.

“Temecula FC is a very well-organized squad,” Gonzales said. “On the field the players are disciplined and coordinated.”

But for Gonzales, the obvious buzz in the air made the night a win despite the score on the scoreboard. The team is still building, he said, “A lot of these teams we face have been together for years.”

Even Temecula, known for bringing out large crowds down the hill, praised on Twitter the Elite’s impressive turnout.

"Amazing support you all had! Biggest crowd in the @NPSLSoccer Southwest Conference," Temecula FC tweeted.

Local high school coaches such as Ruiz Jr., local high school referees, former local high school soccer stars, and others play on the team. Many of them grew up playing with and against each other.

“The sense of community was amazing,” Gonzales said. “It brought people together that wouldn’t have interacted with each other for one reason for another, all cheering for the same team.”

Next up, Elite FC takes on Orange County FC (2-1) in Irvine at 7 p.m. Saturday. The next home game is 7 p.m. March 30 against FC Arizona (1-0-1).

Elite FC competes in the NPSL West Region’s Southwest Conference, which is comprised of 11 teams. Temecula FC (2-0) leads the conference, with Orange County FC (2-1) in second place.For home games, tickets are $11 for adults, $5 children ages 3-10. Kids 3 years old and under are free.

Visit www.HighDesertELITE.com for more information, or follow them on all social media platforms at @HighDesertELITE.

Garrett Bergthold can be reached at 760-955-5368 or GBergthold@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DP_Garrett.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.